Manchester City manager Guardiola: We're innocent until guilt's proved

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, defended his club against allegations of breaching the Premier League's financial rules at a press conference on Friday.

Since Everton were docked 10 points earlier this month for violating the top English football league's profitability and sustainability rules, many have been looking at bigger spenders like City. The Guardian newspaper reported that Manchester City have been charged with more than 100 breaches of Premier League rules over multiple years.

Everton also stressed that they will "monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules."

"You are questioning like we have been punished," Guardiola said. "At this moment we are innocent until guilt is proved. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we win in the Champions League."

Meanwhile, the Spanish manager refused to comment on Everton's case because he doesn't know "the reality of what really happened," but confirmed that two clubs have different cases.

"Maybe you know but [I] asked our team and they are two completely different cases. I know when people are saying – 'Okay, City – why don't they go to the Conference?' Wait. Wait. And after what's going to happen is going to happen," Guardiola said. "It's two different cases. It's not the same. Honestly. I spoke with my people and said it is completely different. Okay, the other one is longer because it is more complicated because it's 115 breaches. So wait."

City are currently leading the Premier League with 28 points with Liverpool (27), Arsenal (27), Tottenham Hotspur (26) and even Aston Villa (25) follow closely behind. The defending champions will host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Guardiola said he hopes that Erling Haaland can play in this significant contest though he suffered an ankle injury in the previous game for Norway.